Tuesday, April 26, 2011

A 63-year-old Toronto woman is facing charges after dozens of cats were removed from a midtown home on Monday.

CBC Photo

Police say they were called on Sunday by a federal election pollster who noticed a foul odour emanating from a residence on Manor Road.

Police and Toronto firefighters responded and, after gaining access to the home, found between 50 and 60 cats. Police say it was determined that the odour was from cat feces and urine which had caused damage to the home.

Neighbours who spoke to CBC News on Monday said the smell from the house is often overwhelming. "It is hell for us," next-door neighbour Eduara Sousaw told CBC's Jermaine Hylton. "We haven't been able to use our backyard or front yard in the summer, we have to keep windows closed."

Sousaw has endured the smell for 11 years and said she's begged the city to remove the cats. The raid began Sunday with OSPCA investigators removing the cats one by one. "How can you feed 50 cats?" neighbour Emmy Kilkat. "You can imagine the smell in there."

The house is in Coun. Josh Matlow's ward. He's heard concerns from the residents and he's visited the home. "Frankly, it's disgusting," Matlow told CBC News. "There are many cats I understand that have been found to have been kept in very inhumane conditions."

A veterinarian was on scene Monday examining the cats. The cats are being transferred to an OSPCA location. Investigators say the animals were removed from the home by the OSPCA with the owner's consent. A woman has been charged with cruelty to animals and causing unnecessary suffering to animals. She is to appear in court in June.